In today’s worship we have leadership from Bill, Merle, Sheri, Steve and all those worshiping, including: Garnet, Lisa, Bev, Bob, Betty, Marilyn, …
Who have I not included in that list of people who is also attending?
Perhaps just a moment of cello music as we begin?
LISA will read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
BILL – shares a prayer of his choosing
FAIREST LORD JESUS
Fairest Lord Jesus ruler of all nature
O Thou of God to earth come down
Thee will I cherish Thee will I honor
Thou my soul’s glory joy and crown
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring.
Jesus is fairer. Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight.
And fair the twinkling starry host.
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.
Merle reads
1 Peter 2:19-25
2:19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly.
2:20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.
2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
2:23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
2:25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us by Dorothy A Thrupp
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
We are thine, thou dost befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to receive us,
grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
SHERI READS John 10:1-10
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS (Joseph Scriven)
What a friend we have in Je – sus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not car – ry Ev’ry – thing to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations Is there trouble anywhere
We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-la – den; Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our re – fuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in Prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
Any commentary we want to share about “sheep scripture?”
STEVE: Sharing of Joys & Concerns
Prayer – concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
I’ll Fly Away by Albert E. Brumley (1932)
Some glad morning when this life is o’er I’ll fly away.
To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah, by and by Oh, I’ll fly away.
Now’s the time to live like Jesus asks, I’ll fly today.
Do for others, shed our human masks, I’ll fly today.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah, by and by Oh, I’ll fly away.
When the shadows of this life have grown, I’ll fly away.
Like a bird from prison bars have flown, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah, by and by Oh, I’ll fly away.
Just a few more weary days and then I’ll fly away.
To a land where joy shall never end, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah, by and by Oh, I’ll fly away.